EMU in the NFL: WR Tanner Knue, RB Samson Evans make next steps
First Brian Dooley went to the Titans of Tennessee. Then earlier this week, fellow Eastern Michigan graduates WR Tanner Knue and RB Samson Evans had their call-ups to the NFL as teams make their final choices of who’s coming to their respective training camps.
Knue signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Evans got a mini-camp invite with the Miami Dolphins, where he’ll get to be first-time teammates with another former Eagle.
Knue was a former walk-on with the team who got into football relatively late in his high school days. He came to EMU in 2018 while his friend Preston Hutchinson, who ended up being the offense’s starting QB in 2020, was also with the team. Knue was an All-MAC pick in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons and finished his college career with 154 receptions for 1,866 yards, and scored 17 TD. Evans, originally an Iowa Hawkeye, transferred to EMU in 2020 and trucked along for 41 career rushing touchdowns — a new school record.
Dooley, again, was the first to ink a deal with an NFL team this cycle. He is one of two offensive tackles the Titans have brought on so far, the other is 7th overall pick J.C. Latham.
With Dooley, Knue, Evans, and former EMU Eagle turned Missouri Tiger Marcellus Johnson all earning at least first-year mini-camp tryouts, Chris Creighton and his staff get the honors of having four of their own enter the NFL this year. With the new four guys plus the returning players in the league, there are now 13 former Eagles in the NFL right now.
Returning EMU Eagles in the NFL
(sorted by career snaps played, then alphabetical)
RT Andrew Wylie, Washington Commanders
Career snap count, per PFF: 5,707
2023 snap count, per PFF: 977 (15 games, 15 starts)
2023 PFF grade (offense): 69.2
After he stood out in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory for the 2022-23 season, Wylie signed his first big contract with the Washington Commanders to be its starting right tackle. Now, he’ll get the chance to block for first-year quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Jayden Daniels.
DE Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders
Career stats: 83 games (77 starts), 321 tackles (205 solo), 88 TFL, 52 sacks, 124 QB hits, 9 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 18 pass breakups
Career snap count, per PFF: 4,795
2023 snap count, per PFF: 1,080
2023 PFF grade (defense): 92.0
Crosby, of course, is having a hell of a life in the NFL. He’s one of the most revered defensive ends in the league, already signed a fat contract extension with the Raiders, is using some of his money to help EMU put an updated gray field in at Rynerason Stadium (it’ll be named Maxx Crosby field), and most recently signed a deal with the Jordan Brand. Entering his age 27 season, Crosby led the NFL in tackles for loss over the 2022 (22 TFL) and 2023 (23) seasons.
RG Sidy Sow, New England Patriots
2023 snap count, per PFF: 772 (13 games, 13 starts)
2023 PFF grade (offense): 64.4
Sidy Sow started 13 games at right guard in his rookie year with the Patriots, and was also a fourth-round pick by the team coming in.
DE Pat O’Connor, free agent
Career stats: 68 games, 24 tackles (14 solo), 5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 5 QB hits, 1 safety
Career snap count, per PFF (defense): 313
2023 snap count, per PFF (defense): 62
2023 PFF grade (defense): 55.3
Pat O’Connor is currently an unsigned free agent. O’Connor came into the NFL as a seventh-round pick by Detroit in the 7th round of the 2017 draft, and has spent most his career with the Tampa Bay Bucs as a special teams player and defensive fill-in. Last year, O’Connor recorded his first career safety.
K Chad Ryland, New England Patriots
2023 stats: 60 kickoffs, 63.6 yards per KO, 39 touchbacks (65%)
2023 stats: 16/25 field goals (64%), 24/25 PAT
Chad Ryland’s a claimed name on this list since he spent his final year of college ball kicking at Maryland, but he’s kicked long enough for EMU and had the game-winning kicks in each of the Purdue and Illinois upsets. Ryland was drafted in the fourth round by the Patriots last year and had a pretty dismal rookie year, his FG% ranked last in the NFL.
WR Dylan Drummond, free agent
2023 stats: None
2023 snap count, per PFF: 5
2023 PFF grade (offense): 59.1
Drummond came into the via Detroit Lions minicamp last year, and was ultimately released by Detroit for the New York Giants to scoop him up for a little bit. While the Giants signed him to a future practice squad contract on Nov. 30, 2023, he did not get a futures contract in January.
TE Thomas Odukoya, Tennessee Titans
DNP 2023
Odukoya is in his third year with the Titans and has yet to see the field. The Titans selected him through the NFL International Player Program in May of 2022, and has been on the practice squad ever since.
DE Jose Ramirez, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DNP 2023
Ramirez did not see the field as a first-year player with the Bucs, but he signed a futures contract with a team in January. Ramirez was the first to win a MAC Defensive Player of the Year award at Eastern Michigan before he was drafted in the 6th round by the Bucs.
WR Mathew Sexton, Miami Dolphins
DNP 2023
This is fifth NFL team to give Sexton a shot. Now, the 26-year old has worked with the Steelers, Chiefs, Falcons, and Patriots since being an undrafted rookie in 2020, and now it’s the Dolphins who are giving him a shot via future/reserve contract. The receiver and return specialist has yet to see the field in an NFL game, but if it’s of any preseason consolation, he’s back to wearing the old #87 of his.